April 27, 2011

Emanuel talks taxes to the arts crowd

Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel today suggested to a theater full of arts patrons that he would look into whether non-profit institutions will have to start paying property taxes under his administration.

Later, however, an Emanuel transition aide clarified that the incoming mayor is not considering raising taxes on non-profits. It's not an option on the table, the aide said.

The confusion came as Emanuel spoke onstage at the Goodman Theatre, a property tax-exempt organization. Asked by an audience member what his position was on property taxes on not-for-profit institutions, Emanuel said he was "going to look more into it."

Emanuel reiterated a campaign trail talking point about how all Chicagoans must bear their share of the burden as part of his program to balance the city's books.

"If you think this is a change-free zone, because what we do is so important to the human soul, then obviously I haven't been clear throughout the campaign, not just today," he said during a lengthy response.

During his mayoral campaign, Emanuel said he would start charging non-profits for their water use. He reiterated that during his remarks at the Goodman.

His comments remained vague throughout, though Emanuel talked about a philosophy in which everybody in the city must feel their share of the sacrifice is fair, even those in an arts community he said he cherishes.

"So if – I just want you to understand this – I'm going to change the way we – non-profits and charitables don't pay for water today," Emanuel said. "That's going to change. I was clear about that in the campaign. And there's a lot of good non-profits and charitables, but they get a tax benefit, they get a benefit on the tax side. And given the changes we've got to make, and given the sacrifices I'm going to ask from everybody, nobody is in a sacrifice-free zone."

When the audience member asked about property taxes, Emanuel initially balked at answering it.

But when moderator Elspeth Revere of the MacArthur Foundation asked the audience for another question, some in the crowd started buzzing.

All 50 aldermen on the Chicago City Council had to file paperwork earlier this year detailing their outside income and gifts. The Tribune took that ethics paperwork and posted the information here for you to see. You can search by ward number or alderman's last name.

The Cook County Assessor's office has put together lists of projected median property tax bills for all suburban towns and city neighborhoods. We've posted them for you to get a look at who's paying more and who's paying less.

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